Business Personal Property

What is Business Personal Property?

Business Personal Property assets are any furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery and inventory used in the normal course of your business. Leased and rented equipment must also be reported, however, these assets are reported separately from the owned assets.

Am I required to report Business Personal Property Assets?

Yes. All businesses located in Cobb County should report Business Personal Property assets regardless of value.

How do I report Business Property assets?

Business Personal Property assets must be reported on form PT-50P. The return is available on the forms and applications page or click here

What is the deadline for filing the Business Personal Property Return Form?

Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be returned on or before April 1st of each year.

What if I move, close or sell my business?

The Cobb Board of Tax Assessors must be notified in writing.  You may fax information to 770-528-3124 or mail to Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors, P.O. Box 649, Marietta, GA  30061.

Does everyone have to pay tax on business personal property?

No. If the Fair Market Value of ALL business assets and any boats, motors, and aircraft located in Cobb County, is $7,500 or less, the assets are exempt from taxes.

What exemptions are available to businesses?

If your business has inventory and you are a Georgia Manufacturer or a Distributor that ships products out of the State of Georgia, you may qualify for “Freeport Inventory Exemption”.

  • To see rules regarding filing deadlines and documentation requirements for Freeport Inventory Exemption, click here
  • A Freeport Inventory Exemption Application (PT-50PF) is available on the forms and applications page or click here.

What happens if I don't file a Business Personal Property Return or if I file it late?

 A 10% Non-filing Penalty will be added to all taxable unreported or late reported assets.

Can I file the Personal Property Return by facsimile or email?

No. Your return will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.

Does the Personal Property Return have to be postmarked by the United States Post Office?

Yes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! A metered return will not be accepted as proof of a timely return. Only the USPS cancellation stamp will be considered when determining if a return has been filed on time.

Aircraft Personal Property Reporting

What is Aircraft Personal Property?

Aircraft Personal Property means any contrivance used or designed for navigation through the air.

Am I required to report Aircraft Personal Property Assets?

Yes. Aircraft whose “Primary home base” meaning an airport where an aircraft is principally hangared or tied down and out of which its flights normally originate should report to Cobb County regardless of value.

How do I report Aircraft Personal Property assets?

Aircraft Personal Property assets must be reported on form PT-50A. The return is available on the forms and applications page or click here.

What is the deadline for filing the Aircraft Personal Property Return Form?

Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be returned on or before April 1st of each year.

What happens if I don't file the Aircraft Personal Property Return or if I file it late?

A 10% Non-filing Penalty will be added to all taxable unreported or late reported assets.

Does everyone have to pay tax on Aircraft personal property?

No. If the Fair Market Value of your aircraft and ALL business assets and boats or motors located in Cobb County, is $7,500 or less, the assets are exempt from taxes.

Can I file the Aircraft Personal Property Return by facsimile or email?

No. Your return will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.

Does the Aircraft Personal Property Return have to be postmarked by the United States Post Office?

Yes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! A metered return will not be accepted as proof of a timely return. Only the USPS cancellation stamp will be considered when determining if a return has been filed on time.

Marine Personal Property Reporting

What is Marine Personal Property?

“Boats” means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, including jet skis and boat motors.

Am I required to report Marine Personal Property Assets?

Yes. Boats shall be returned to the county where located 184 days a year or more.

How do I report Marine Personal Property assets?

Marine Personal Property assets must be reported on form PT-50M. The return is available on the forms and applications page or click here

What is the deadline for filing the Marine Personal Property Return Form?

Assets owned as of January 1st of each year must be returned on or before April 1st of each year.

What happens if I don't file the Marine Personal Property Return or if I file it late?

A 10% Non-filing Penalty will be added to all taxable unreported or late reported assets.

Does everyone have to pay tax on Marine personal property?

No. If the Fair Market Value of you marine property or motors, ALL business assets and aircraft located in Cobb County, is $7,500 or less, the assets are exempt from taxes.

Can I file the Marine Personal Property Return by facsimile or email?

No. Your return will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.

Does the Marine Personal Property Return have to be postmarked by the United States Post Office?

Yes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! A metered return will not be accepted as proof of a timely return. Only the USPS cancellation stamp will be considered when determining if a return has been filed on time.

Freeport Inventory Exemption

What is the Freeport Inventory Exemption?

If your business has inventory and you are a Georgia Manufacturer or a Distributor that ships products out of the State of Georgia, you may qualify for “Freeport Inventory Exemption”. Application for Freeport Exemption must be reported on form PT-50PF. The return is available on the forms and applications page or click here

What is the deadline for filing the Application for Freeport Exemption Form?

The Freeport filing date for 100 percent exemption is January 1 through April 1. The exemption amounts for late filed applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

  • April 2 – April 30 will receive 66.67% of the full exemption.
  • May 1 – May 31 will receive 58.33% of the full exemption.
  • June 1 will receive 50% of the full exemption.
  • June 2 or later shall constitute a waiver of the entire exemption for the current tax year. Reference: OCGA §48-5-48.1

Is a Freeport Application required each year?

Yes. An exemption granted in one year does not carry forward to subsequent years.

What documentation is required to be filed with the Application for Freeport Exemption?

Failure to provide the following documentation at the time of filing, or before the deadline, shall constitute a waiver of the Freeport Exemption for the current year:

  • Inventory verification for 12/31 (balance sheet, trial balance, general ledger, etc).
  • Distributors also must provide sales documentation for prior calendar year detailing total sales made from Cobb County location and either, sales made inside Georgia, or sales made outside Georgia.

Can I file the Application for Freeport Exemption form by facsimile or email?

No. Your application will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.

Manufactured Housing Value Appeals

How do I appeal the value of my manufactured home?

Appeals for manufactured home value are processed by the Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors. In order to appeal your value, please complete the appeal form which is available on the forms and applications page.

What is the deadline for filing an appeal?

The appeal must be received by May 1.

Motor Vehicle Value Appeals

How do I appeal the value of my motor vehicle?

Appeals for motor vehicle value are processed by the Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors. In order to appeal your value, please complete the appeal form which is available on the forms and applications page or click here.

Where do I find information regarding motor vehicle titles, registration, etc?

Information can be found at www.cobbtax.org